Best Value on a new/used bike?

I am currently considering some of the Forge Bikes around 200-300$ because of the positive things being said about them on yahoo answers and mtbr.com
Forge Saranac CM
http://www.target.com/Forge-Saranac-Path...

I checked out my local sporting good store(dick's sporting goods) and they have some bikes being sold for 200$ with original retail prices of around 400$.

I am also considering craigslist and ebay. However, I am not sure whether or not a "like new" 600$ bike that is 5-10 years old is better than a 200$ new bike. What do you guys think? what is the best deal?

Would it be cheaper to buy seperate parts and build the bike? I am mechanically inclined and I have tuned up my own bikes before so I have no trouble with that sort of thing. However, all bike build kits I've seen were more than 600$. I am still looking at something around 200-300$

Forge bikes are good for the money, but you may also want to consider Ibex...

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes-Hub-MTB.h...

Motobecane/bikesdirect...

http://bikesdirect.com/products/mountain...

I myself would go with this one...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/moto...

Spend the extra money to get something good. You won't regret it. I would buy new, as I don't believe you're ready to repair your own bikes yet. Also be aware that you will have to build the bike if you buy it online, or bring it to your local bike shop for them to do it. Make sure that that's okay with them and ask about pricing.

Tim

I saw the Q&A on the Forge bikes. I haven't seen them in person but they look like a good cheaper bike.

In general a "like new" used bike will very likely be better than a very cheap new one. But of couse it all depends which one you are looking at.

I have seen three Forge Sawback (the mountain version, Saranac is only path and trail) and ride one. They where really good bicycles in their price range.
I have seen a couple Motobecane wich also looked good (welding, finish components, etc) in their price range.
They are good options as probably IBEX as well (have not seen one personally myself).
I would be hard to compare against local sporting good stores as you don't mention brand and specifications, but have never seen any good local sporting good store bikes (these could be an exception).

A 5 or 10 y/o bike is trouble. You never know which component will fail. Any $200 bike is probably also not worth the money. Look for a new bike for around $350-400.

I never look at any bike for purchase that is older than 2 yrs. eBay has some good values, but you have to know what to look for. Building one up is also risky as there are about as many permutations as there are bikes.